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2025 Impact Report

Supporting Moms and Babies

We’re working to improve maternal and infant health outcomes by increasing access to care, reducing care gaps and educating and engaging communities.

A mother in an orange shirt lays with her newborn baby
 
Two women pose together with boxes of diapers while surrounded but stacks of diaper boxes


Special Beginnings®

In 2025 we celebrated the anniversary of our expanded Special Beginnings maternal and infant health initiative. Through Special Beginnings, we’re collaborating with community and clinical partners to support women and families from preconception to postpartum care.

  • Increasing access to care, before and after childbirth.
  • Promoting quality.
  • Addressing social drivers that play a role.
  • Supporting efforts to expand the maternal care health workforce.
 
16

partner organizations

1K+

providers engaged in professional and workforce development

33K+

people served

 

Marking One Year of Impact

In 2025 we celebrated measurable outcomes achieved with our clinical and community partners in our expanded Special Beginnings maternal and infant health initiative.

More than 800 healthy babies were born through program partners, and more than 33,000 people received services in the initiative's first full year.

Several efforts funded through Special Beginnings helped bolster the maternal health care workforce, including training of nearly 800 doulas, preparing Illinois to expand access to vital support and services during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum.

At our Blue Door Neighborhood CenterSM locations, we hosted classes and workshops on breastfeeding and maternal fitness and wellness. The BDNC program also held its second annual Birth Equity Symposium, engaging the community in meaningful conversations around the importance of family, support and inclusion.

A doula instructor demonstrates bottle feeding to a room of students following along
 

Spotlight

Guiding and Supporting Families Through Pregnancy and After Birth

Growing the maternal health workforce, including doulas, is one of the focus areas of the expanded Special Beginnings initiative. 

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More Progress to Be Made

A second round of Special Beginnings grants totaling $2 million awarded in 2025 supported digital, clinical and community partnerships to expand access to quality maternal and infant health care and services and address social factors that influence a mother and baby's well-being.

These organizations are expanding access to comprehensive health services, including behavioral health care, to reduce poor maternal and infant outcomes, such as preterm and low birth-weight babies and obstetric and postpartum complications.

“We look forward to supporting families at every stage of life and that starts with maternal care,” said BCBSIL Chief Medical Officer Dr. Alvia Siddiqi. “BCBSIL is committed to driving positive change for maternal and infant health and championing its advancement every step of the way.”

A pregnant woman puts a hand on her belly while holding a gift basket
 

Spotlight

Safe Homes for New Moms

South Suburban Women’s Health Initiative works with health care providers to identify pregnant mothers in need of housing and move them into furnished apartments.

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